Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles defeated Ghana 3-1 on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in the second leg of their qualifying fixture for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), Afrosport reports.
The CHAN Eagles played out a goalless draw away at Accra last Sunday, ending their losing streak against Ghana in the CHAN qualifiers.
Nigeria international and Remo Stars defender Sodiq Ismail opened the scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute. The fullback beat the offside trap and latched onto a through ball from club teammate Nduka Junior before finishing past the Ghanaian goalkeeper.
Junior soon got on the scoresheet three minutes later to double Nigeria’s lead. After a goalmouth melee in the Ghanaian area, the CHAN Eagles captain reacted quickest, firing the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Nigeria made it three in the 25th minute through Saviour Isaac, who rounded the goalkeeper before finishing with his left foot into the bottom corner.
The CHAN Eagles stunned the visitors, scoring three goals within six minutes to head into the halftime break with a commanding lead.
The second half, however, was a bit more even, with Ghana pushing for a goal, which they got, albeit a consolation in the 73rd minute courtesy of a sublime strike from Stephen Amankona.
🚨 Q UA L I F I E D!
Full-time in Uyo
🇳🇬Nigeria 3-1 Ghana🇬🇭
19″ Sodiq Ismail🇳🇬
22″ Nduka Junior 🇳🇬
26″ Savior Isaac🇳🇬73′ Stephen Amenkona🇬🇭
Aggregate: 3-1.
Nigeria are through to the #CHAN2025 pic.twitter.com/BMPdXRcTO9
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 28, 2024
The game ended in victory for the CHAN Eagles, who qualified for the CHAN for the first time since 2018 and are set to represent the WAFU B Zone at next year’s tournament.
The 2024 African Nations Championship, the competition’s eighth edition, will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda and is scheduled to take place from 1-28 February 2025.
